Sunday, 10 November 2024 04:37

After the N21bn on residence for the Vice President in Abuja, Tinubu lavishes N5bn to renovate VP’s Lagos house

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Despite widespread economic hardship and soaring inflation across the country, the Federal Government has allocated N5 billion towards the renovation of the vice president’s official residence in Lagos State.

In the N2.17tn supplementary budget passed in November 2023, the Federal Government had budgeted N3bn for the renovation of the vice president’s official residence in Lagos State and another N2.5bn for the renovation of his official residence located within the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

However, checks by our correspondent using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, showed that a total of N5,034,077,063 was spent in May and September this year for the renovation of the VP’s Lagos residence.

A monthly breakdown of the amount showed that on May 31, 2024, the State House paid N2,827,119,051 to an engineering firm, Denderi Investment Limited, for the renovation of the official quarters of the vice president in Lagos.

Similarly, on September 5, 2024, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President paid the same firm N726,748,686 for additional renovation work on the VP’s Lagos home.

On the same day, the Chief of Staff’s office paid N1,480,209,326 to the same firm for Phase 2 renovations of the VP’s Lagos residence.

Recall that in November 2023, the Federal Capital Territory Administration said it would spend N15bn to build a “befitting” official residence for the Vice President in Abuja.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this while appearing before the House of Representatives committee to defend the FCT’s N61.5bn 2023 supplementary budget.

But an advocacy group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, objected to the expenditure, describing it as a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.

“It will be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15bn on ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30 per cent (that is, N8.25tn) of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5tn on debt service costs,” SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stated.

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the current administration had not been truthful about its stance to reduce the cost of governance, noting that if it had been sincere, it would have reduced allocations in its various implemented budgets over the last 16 months.

Also, the Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, said until a new constitution is formulated to regulate government spending, the country won’t get rid of profligacy in its governance.

 

Punch

November 21, 2024

How small businesses can leverage dark social to drive word-of-mouth marketing

Key Takeaways Dark social refers to sharing online content through private communication channels like email,…
November 21, 2024

Northern leaders say won’t support Tinubu for re-election due to president’s incompetence, bad policies

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to support northerners running for the…
November 18, 2024

The magic and the minefield of confidence: Self doubt, hubris and everything in between - The Economist

Confidence is contagious. Someone declaring a position with ringing certainty is more likely to inspire…
November 16, 2024

Influencer eats pig feed in extreme attempt to save money

Popular Douyin streamer Kong Yufeng recently sparked controversy in China by eating pig feed on…
November 21, 2024

50 terrorists killed as Boko Haram insurgents ambush security personnel guarding national grid in Niger…

At least 50 Boko Haram fighters were killed on Tuesday and seven members of Nigeria's…
November 21, 2024

What to know after Day 1001 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE US reopens Kyiv embassy after Ukraine firing of ATACMS missiles into Russia prompted…
November 21, 2024

Nigeria comes top in instant payment system inclusivity index in Africa

Nigeria’s instant payment system is projected to advance to the maturity inclusion spectrum ahead of…
October 27, 2024

Nigeria awarded 3-0 win over Libya after airport fiasco

Nigeria have been awarded a 3-0 victory over Libya, and three vital points, from their…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.